The police presence will also more than triple during the holiday shopping hours and if you need help or if a shop employee needs assistance, an officer is only one call away.

“Any time a tenant or customer has an issue all they have to do is pick up the phone and it goes directly to an officer that is working on that shift and he can come right out and respond to their issue,” Sgt. Kevin Sevier with the Colerain Police Department said.

That special phone number directly to the police in the mall is posted around Northgate Mall.

Officer Joe Hendricks said it’s been beneficial having officers inside at all times to make sure shoppers are safe and shoplifters are caught.

“I see a change in the mall and things like that and improvement. More people are coming to the mall, people stop me all day and thank us for being here and they also tell us they notice the improvement,” Hendricks said.

As for staying safe and keeping your belongings safe, Sevier said, “Know your surroundings, know who's around you when you get to your cars, put your presents or whatever you just bought in your trunk.”

We caught up with one shopper who is forgoing the Thanksgiving Day sales but echoed the same advice.

“Tis the season to pay attention keep your stuff close to you and don't let it out of your sight because it will be gone,” Julie Wagner from Bridgetown said.

Several stores in Northgate Mall will now open at 8 p.m. Thursday and the rest will open at midnight for Black Friday.